From the wind-battered shores of Macassar to the record-breaking crowds of Stilbaai, the 2025 Hot Summer of Touch (HSOT) series cemented its status as South Africa’s premier summer sporting attraction.
Over three weeks of high-octane action, the circuit tested the grit of the country’s best touch rugby athletes across sand, grass and gale-force winds.
Photo: Peter Bee
The series found its rhythm during the third leg in Strand on Tuesday 16 December. Under glorious summer skies, 57 teams showcased elite skill levels in front of massive crowds. The day featured a major upset in the Pro series, as the Score Forward Legends’ clinical performance edged out firm favorites Liberty Webb Touchies 1-0 in a defensive masterclass.
However, the weather took a turn for the fourth leg at Macassar Beach on Sunday 21 December. Despite blustery winds and challenging conditions that tested ball control and composure, 38 determined teams battled it out.
Liberty Webb Touchies reclaimed their dominance here, tightening their grip on the overall standings with a thrilling 3-2 sudden death drop-off victory over title contenders Most Wanted.
In the Challenger series, The Scorpions began their steady rise to the top, securing back-to-back victories in both Strand and Macassar, notably defeating hometown favorites Macassar Touch 2-1 in the latter.
The momentum culminated in the iconic 48th Stilbaai tournament, the sixth leg of the circuit. Flawless conditions greeted a staggering record crowd of approximately 7 500 spectators. With 56 teams registered, it was the largest edition in years.
On the sand, Liberty Webb Touchies proved they are the undisputed benchmark of the sport, clinching their third consecutive Stilbaai title and their third straight Grand Prix crown.
The Challenger Series provided a grandstand finish as the BT Blizzards edged out the Scorpions, leaving a points count-back to determine who earns the coveted invitation to this year’s Pro Series.
Following a “chilled vibe” leg in Mossel Bay on Saturday 27 December, where the Rugby Bum Warriors from Struisbaai emerged victorious, the tour reached its conclusion at the Hartenbos Amphitheater on Monday 29 December.
Under a scorching sun, 26 teams competed on the fast and hard grass surface. The Rugby Bum Warriors once again showed their class, defeating the Straf Doppe in the Cup final to vindicate their place in the Pro Series at their very first attempt.
Reflecting on the tour, which saw over 300 teams compete, Western and Southern Beach Touch Association (WSBTA) chairperson Gerome Vermeulen, noted that the series epitomises the health-conscious drive of young athletes performing on a prestigious platform.”The HSOT management would like to thank the players, sponsors and fans for contributing to such a great series,” the organisers said in a statement.
From the hard-fought wins of The Jokers in the Open section to the rising stars of the BT Blizzards Juniors, the 2025 series proved that in the world of South African touch rugby, there truly is no comparison.
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